Volodymyr Zelensky Rejects Iran's Claim of Neutrality Following Ukrainian Drone Strike on Iranian Vessel
President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected Iran's claim of non-involvement in the war against Ukraine, highlighting the country's significant military support for Russia. This comes in response to a warning from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that a recent Ukrainian drone strike on a commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea "cannot go unanswered." Ukraine asserts that the strike targeted vessels transporting military cargo from Iran to Russia, including a Russian missile boat. While Iran condemned the the operation as a user of the UN Charter, Araghchi described the attack as "hostile and criminal." Zelensky, however, pointed out that Iran has provided thousands of Shahed drones and production technology to Russia since the first year of the conflict. The strike demonstrates Ukraine's growing long-range capabilities and its intent to damage the industries supporting Russia's war effort. Zelensky noted that while Ukraine must be careful not to open a new front, it must acknowledge that Iran and North Korea have already attacked Ukraine by supplying weapons to the Kremlin.